Peach tree named ‘RICH SNOW’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. The tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium to large size, white flesh fruit.   2. The tree with vigorous, upright growth.   3. Producing fruit with an attractive red skin color.   4. Fruit with good flavor and very good eating quality.   5. Fruit with good storage and shipping quality.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘RICH SNOW’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Snow Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,093) and‘Snow Angel’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,750).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.from open pollinated seed of ‘Snow Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No.25,093). A large number of these open pollinated peach seedlings weregrown and budded to older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented)to accelerate rapid fruit production. Under close and carefulobservation we recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristicsof the present variety and selected it in 2009 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and its fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus perisca) is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of mediumto large size, clingstone fruit with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor andvery good eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by havingan attractive red skin color, firm, white flesh and being relativelyuniform in size throughout the tree. In comparison to its seed parent‘Snow Lady’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,093) the fruit of the newvariety is 6 days later in maturity and has a higher Brix 14.5° comparedto 12.0°. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Snow Angel’ Peach(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,750) the fruit of the new variety isapproximately 16 days later in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 5 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of5 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies with soil type, fertility of            soil and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit            varies with climatic conditions during bloom time.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 3 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to allow            sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color and health            of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 400 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference of 61.0 cm at 25.7 cm            above ground on a 5 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 4/2 to 5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 14.9 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 34 in a 25.8 sq cm section.            Average length 3.0 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color varies            from 10YR 4/6 to 10YR 4/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5R 3/6. Old growth            varies from 7.5YR 2/4 to 10YR 3/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 127.4 mm. Average            width 38.1 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 7.2 mm. Average width 1.6 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface glabrous. Color varies from            5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/6.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — medium to large. Average            length 1.3 mm. Average diameter 0.9 mm. Number varies from 3            to 5, average number 4. Located primarily on base of leaf            blade and upper portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY            5/4 to 5GY 5/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 7.7 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 3/4 to 7.5GY 3/6.            Lower surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein            color varies from 5GY 8/6 to 5GY 7/6.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 19.6 mm. Average            diameter 9.4 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.7 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 7/6.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 7/8 to 5RP 7/10.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 17, 2013. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 27, 2013, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 20.1 mm. Average            diameter 33.1 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 18.7 mm. Average width 18.0 mm. Form —            obovate. Arrangement — overlapping. Margin — sinuate. Color            varies from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 8/6. Both upper and lower            surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            medium. Average length 5.8 mm. Average width 5.4 mm. Shape —            ovate. Margin — entire. Color — upper surface varies from            5GY 5/6 to 5R 3/6. Lower surface varies from 5R 2/2 to 7.5R            3/2. Surface — upper surface glabrous, lower surface            pubescent.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 42. Average filament            length 15.3 mm. Filament color varies from N 9.5/(white) to            5RP 6/8. Anther color varies from 7.5R 3/10 to 5Y 8/8.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/10 to 5Y            7/10.        -   Pistil.—Normally one. Surface pubescent. Average length            16.9 mm. Position of stigma an average of 1.4 mm below            anthers. Color varies from 7.5Y 8/6 to 10Y 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 8/4 to 7.5RP 7/4.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.7 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color            varies from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 6/6.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—May 25, 2013.        -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 7, 2013, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 58.1 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 69.8 mm. Average weight 176.1            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 3.8 mm. Average diameter 8.4 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 8.1 mm. Average            diameter 3.5 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 6/8 to 5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial varieties.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Good, mild, sweet, sub-acid.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 14.5°, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 8.5/4 to 7.5Y 9/2.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 31.0 mm. Average width 27.0 mm.            Average depth 11.2 mm. Color 7.5Y 9/2.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth to very slightly waffled.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 10Y 9/2 to 2.5GY 9/2,            overspread with 5R 3/4 to 5R 5/6.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 29.7 mm. Average width 20.3 mm.            Average thickness 25.5 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Slightly pointed. Average length 1.2 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from the suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from the base toward            apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 6/6 to 10YR 6/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 15.3 mm. Average width 10.1 mm.            Average depth 6.9 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Partially viable, incomplete embryo development            in some fruit.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 7.5Y 9/2 to 7.5Y 9/4.-   Use: Dessert.    -   -   Market.—Local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.    for 3 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss    of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or flesh bruising    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree(Prunus persica), substantially as illustrated and described.